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John PRESTON

Main CPGW Record

Surname: PRESTON

Forename(s): John

Place of Birth: Skipton, Yorkshire

Service No: 267582

Rank: Private

Regiment / Corps / Service: Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment)

Battalion / Unit: 1/6th Battalion

Division: 49th (West Riding) Division

Age: 25

Date of Death: 1918-10-18

Awards: ---

CWGC Grave / Memorial Reference: I. H. 5.

CWGC Cemetery: WELLINGTON CEMETERY, RIEUX-EN-CAMBRESIS

CWGC Memorial: ---

Non-CWGC Burial: ---

Local War Memorial: SKIPTON, YORKSHIRE

Additional Information:

John Preston was the son of Thomas and Mary Ann Preston, née Forsyth. Thomas was born at Skipton, Yorkshire and Mary at Carlisle, Cumberland.

1901 Skipton, Yorkshire Census: 17, Lambert Street - John Preston, aged 9 years, born Skipton, son of Thomas and Mary Ann Preston.

1911 Skipton, Yorkshire Census: 16, Belgrave Street - John Preston, aged 19 years, born Skipton, son of Thomas and Mary Ann Preston.

John was married to Bridget Alice Connolly in 1914. Bridget married John W. Robson in 1919.

The British Army Service Record for John Preston (Regimental No. 1248) exists but may be incomplete.

British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards: Pte John Preston, 267582, W. Rid. R.

British Army WW1 Medal and Award Rolls: Pte John Preston, 267582, 1/6th W. Rid. R. K. in A. 18.10.18.

Army Registers of Soldiers' Effects: Pte John Preston, 267582, 5th [sic] Bn W. Riding. Date and Place of Death: 18.10.18. France. To whom Authorised/Amount Authorised: Widow and Sole Legatee - Bridget Alice. £27 13s. 11d.

UK, WW1 Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923: card(s) exist for John. Name(s) on card(s): Widow: Bridget A., born 23.4.91. Address:13, Tucker Street, Lemington-on-Tyne. Son: Thomas, born 16.3.16.

See also: ‘Guiseley Terriers: A Small Part in The Great War – A History of the 1/6th Battalion, Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding) Regiment’ by Stephen Barber (2018).

Data Source: Craven’s Part in the Great War - original CPGW book entry

View Entry in CPGW Book

Entry in West Yorkshire Pioneer Illustrated War Record:

PRESTON, Jack, aged 26, Duke of Wellington’s, 29, Belgrave Street, Skipton, killed in action Nov. 1918.

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Private John PRESTON

Private John PRESTON

Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment)

Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment)

Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 49th (West Riding) Division

Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 49th (West Riding) Division

Data from Soldiers Died in the Great War 1914 - 1919 Records

Soldiers Died Data for Soldier Records

Surname: PRESTON

Forename(s): John

Born: Skipton, Yorks

Residence: Willington, Durham

Enlisted: Gateshead, Durham

Number: 267582

Rank: Private

Regiment: Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment)

Battalion: 1/6th Battalion

Decorations:

Died Date: 18/10/18

Died How: Killed in action

Theatre of War: France & Flanders

Notes:

Data from Commonwealth War Graves Commission Records

CWGC Data for Soldier Records

Surname: PRESTON

Forename(s): J

Country of Service: United Kingdom

Service Number: 267582

Rank: Private

Regiment: Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment)

Unit: 1st/6th Bn.

Age: 25

Awards:

Died Date: 18/10/1918

Additional Information: Son of Thomas and Mary Ann Preston; husband of B. Alice Robson (formerly Preston), of 3, Dodds Terrace, Byers Green, Spennymoor, Co. Durham. (CWGC Headstone Personal Inscription: R.I.P.)

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View Craven Herald Articles

View Craven Herald Articles

Craven Herald and Wensleydale Standard Logo

23 March 1917

THE LATE PRIVATE L. WESTERN OF SKIPTON

Some particulars of the death of this Skipton soldier will be found in our inner pages. Letters of sympathy have since been received from the Army Chaplain and a number of deceased’s pals. The Rev. H. E. Tilston also mentions that Pte. Western was killed by a sniper’s bullet in the head on March 12th, when he was trying to hit the periscope of a German. He was buried with the Church service in the English cemetery, he adds, and the usual cross was being erected over the grave.

Gunner D. Lister, stationed at Winchester, writes:– “Having been a chum of Laurence for the past ten years or more, I beg to offer you my deepest sympathy in your great loss. You have lost a good son and a brave soldier, and I have lost a friend that I can never replace.” He also mentions that he had received the bad news from France that morning (March 19th).

“I had letters from Laurence and Percy;” he adds, “and Laurence had written part of his letter on the 12th of this month, and at the foot was a note by Captain Dixon to inform me that poor Laurence had been killed shortly after writing the letter.”

From a touching letter signed “Yours in sympathy, Ptes. J. L. Berry, J.E. Core, E.M. Smith, W. Holmes, J. J. Brown, J. Preston,” we take the following:– “Being your son’s pals we thought it our duty to write and let you know (of his death), and I can assure you we miss him very much. He was buried in a beautiful little cemetery along with comrades who have also answered the call, and a white cross marks his grave. We, all being Skipton lads, have always been good pals together, and more so being in the same Lewis Gun team. As yet we can hardly realise that he has gone”.

08 November 1918

Private Jack Preston, Skipton

Official news has been received of the death in action of Private Jack Preston, West Riding Regiment, the oldest of the four soldier sons of Mr. Thomas Preston, engine driver, 29 Belgrave Street, Skipton. Letters from his pals show that he was hit in the chest by a piece of shell and died instantly, and that his death is much regretted by the officers and men. Private Preston leaves a wife and child who live with his father. One of the brothers has been a prisoner in Germany for eighteen months.

17 October 1919

PRESTON – In loving memory of Pte. Jack Preston, 1/6th Duke of Wellington’s Regt., killed in action October 18th, 1918.

He gave his heart for his home,
His life for his country,
And his soul to God.

From his Mother and Dad, and Brothers and Sisters.

PRESTON – In loving memory of Private John Preston, who was killed in France on October 18th, 1918.

“Eternal rest give unto him, O Lord, and let
perpetual light shine upon him.”

“May he rest in peace.”

Fondly remembered by his loving Wife and Child and all in Willington, Co. Durham, 29, Belgrave Street, Skipton.

15 October 1920

PRESTON – In loving memory of Pte. Jack Preston, who was killed in action on October 18th, 1918.

“On whose soul, sweet Jesus, have mercy.”

Fondly remembered by his Wife and Little Son, and all at Willington. R.I.P.

PRESTON – In loving memory of our dear son, Pte. Jack Preston, killed in action October 18th, 1918.

“Sad memories to recall.”

From Father, Sisters and Brothers, 29 Belgrave Street, Skipton.

View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles

View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles

West Yorkshire Pioneer Logo

08 November 1918

Another Skipton Soldier Gassed

News has been received that Private Jack Preston, of the Duke of Wellington’s Regt., and whose wife and child reside at 29, Belgrave Street, Skipton, has met his death in action through being struck in the chest by a shell. Private Preston, who is 26 years of age, is the oldest of four brothers serving, one having been a Prisoner of war in Germany for eighteen month. The deceased soldier is the son of Mr. Thomas Preston, engine driver, Belgrave Street, Skipton.

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